Necrosis After Tummy Tuck

asked 1 year ago by nybutterfly14 in New York, NY
Latest answer by Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Question viewed 1,508 times
Tags: healing, necrosis

I started to get nercosis after tummy tuck I had on sept 24th. ( what I think is nercosis) It is getting worse and the gauze pads now are a greenish color. I see the ps again today, previously they said it needs to heal..but its not healing at all..please give me some advice of what to do and what will happen ? Will I need another surgery to fix this, I am very concerned as it is making a hole ! Thankyou

11 answers to Necrosis After Tummy Tuck

Necrosis After Tummy Tuck

Necrosis from tummy tuck unfortunately can occur. If this occurs there is usually a time period allowed to determine the extent of the necrosis to declare itself. Once this has occurred the unhealthy tissues is removed. This should reveal healthy tissue beneath. The resultant wound is dressed and allowed to heal over time. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tissue necrosis after Tummy tuck

Unfortunately this complication is a risk of tummy tuck surgery, especially in patients with a history of smoking. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on the best wound care, which typically involves a morning and night routine. It is important to achieve healthy tissue edges on all sides before any shrinkage in the dimensions will be apparent. This may involve debridements (removing any unhealthy tissue). Once the entire wound is free of necrotic or unhealthy tissue, then over... more

Hayley Brown MD
Henderson Plastic Surgeon

Lower Tummy Necrosis (tissue death) after Tummy Tuck

Your photograph demonstrates tissue death (necrosis) along the lowest portion of the tummy flap near the incision. This is a known complication of tummy tuck and is related to a great decrease or loss of a healthy blood supply to and from that area which can be seen in smokers, diabetics, people with autoimmune diseases, obesity, undue compression of the area (bending over for prolonged periods or tight garment) among others. This tissue needs to be removed (debrided) to healthy bleeding... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Necrosis after tummy tuck

Skin necrosis after tummy tuck occurs because of inadequate blood flow to the skin. This can occur for several reasons. Fortunately the majority heal uneventfully with good local care directed by your surgeon. If the scar that results is bothersome, a scar revision can improve it easily.

Randy Proffitt, MD
Mobile Plastic Surgeon

Necrosis treatment

Necrosis usually occurs in the midline and can lead to separation of the wound. you have the typical findings of black, hard, dry shoe-leather skin. my concern is the drainage and greenish color. it is time to debride (remove dead skin) and wash out. even colonization (not quire infection but bacteria present) can extend the zone of necrosis and lead to more tissue loss. intervention generally speeds recovery and allows the loss of tissue to be minimized. see you... more

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Wound healing issues

This looks like a small area of skin necrosis which can happen because of numerous reasons. It will probably heal on its own and may need a scar revision down the road.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Skin necrosis folloinfing tummy tuck

This will likely heal on its own without surgical intervention and with wound care. However, if the scar is excessively wide it may benefit from scar revision.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Wound Healing Issues Post Tummy Tuck

It appears that you have some skin necrosis with possible underlying fat necrosis (lack of blood flow to the fatty tissue). It is important to maintain close contact and followup with your plastic surgeon through this wound healing process. Plastic surgeons are trained on the best methods in wound care. The most important consideration is to determine why your wound is failing to heal. This could be due to lack of blood supply to the skin or fat... more

Paul S. Gill, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Skin Necrosis after Tummy Tuck

Skin necrosis is a recognized possible risk following a tummy tuck. It is most commonly seen in smokers but can occur also less frequently in nonsmokers. The area of discoloration in your photo is relatively small and should go ahead and heal secondarily. A revision of your scar in the future may or may not be appropriate.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck complications can be fixed.

Hi. You certainly have an open unhealthy wound that requires intensive care with debridement (trimming dead tissue) and frequent dressing changes. The wound may eventually heal on its own and then you will need a scar revision later. Another option may be to re-operate on you now, cut out all the dead (necrotic) tissue, and close the new wound. If in doubt, get another opinion.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

TT necrosis

I can't tell where the issue is on your abdomen but there is some necrosis (dying tissue). This will need to be debrided and wound care will need to be performed to heal.